Final answer:
Merit-based allocation benefits the strongest as it rewards individuals for their skills and abilities, fitting into the concept of meritocracy which rewards personal worth and effort, facilitating social mobility in an open class system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The allocation system that benefits those who are strongest is A. Merit-based allocation because it rewards individuals based on their skills and abilities. This system aligns with the concept of meritocracy, which is an ideal system of social stratification that rewards personal worth and effort. Hence, those with greater skills and abilities, or stronger KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities), are more likely to excel in a merit-based system. In contrast, other systems such as need-based, lottery-based, and random allocations do not necessarily prioritize individual strength or merit.
In terms of social stratification, this is significant as merit-based systems are often seen in class systems, which are open and allow for social mobility through personal achievement. While no society has achieved a pure meritocracy, aspects of it can be found in systems that evaluate and reward academic and job performance. However, it's important to note that such systems may not address issues of equality of opportunity or fully contend with potential biases and advantages rooted in aspects like nepotism or social capital.